Stanford Home
Ovarian Kaleidoscope Database (OKdb)

Home

History

Transgenic Mouse Models

INFORGRAPHICS

Search
Submit
Update
Chroms
Browse
Admin

Hsueh lab

HPMR

Visits
since 01/2001:
176557

defensin alpha 1 OKDB#: 3145
 Symbols: DEFA1 Species: human
 Synonyms: HP1, MRS, DEF1, HP-1, DEFA2, HNP-1  Locus: 8p23.1 in Homo sapiens


For retrieval of Nucleotide and Amino Acid sequences please go to: OMIM Entrez Gene
Mammalian Reproductive Genetics   Endometrium Database Resource   Orthologous Genes   UCSC Genome Browser   GEO Profiles new!   Amazonia (transcriptome data) new!

R-L INTERACTIONS   MGI

DNA Microarrays
SHOW DATA ...
link to BioGPS
General Comment NCBI Summary: Defensins are a family of antimicrobial and cytotoxic peptides thought to be involved in host defense. They are abundant in the granules of neutrophils and also found in the epithelia of mucosal surfaces such as those of the intestine, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and vagina. Members of the defensin family are highly similar in protein sequence and distinguished by a conserved cysteine motif. The protein encoded by this gene, defensin, alpha 1, is found in the microbicidal granules of neutrophils and likely plays a role in phagocyte-mediated host defense. Several alpha defensin genes are clustered on chromosome 8. This gene differs from defensin, alpha 3 by only one amino acid. This gene and the gene encoding defensin, alpha 3 are both subject to copy number variation. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2014]
General function
Comment
Cellular localization Secreted
Comment
Ovarian function Ovulation
Comment
Expression regulated by
Comment
Ovarian localization Oocyte, Follicular Fluid
Comment Human β-defensin 1 in follicular fluid and semen: impact on fertility. Zupin L et al. (2019) β-defensins are antimicrobial peptides expressed at mucosal level of male and female genito-urinary tract, where they exert protective functions against infections, possibly preserving human health and fertility. In our study, we investigated the possible involvement of β-defensins in female and male infertility in Italian infertile couples (i) evaluating the presence of human β-defensin 1 (hBD-1) in follicular fluid (FF) and its correlation with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes; (ii) investigating the relationship between hBD-1 levels in semen and IVF outcomes (comprising correlation with sperm parameters); and (iii) exploring the effect of hBD-1 peptide on spermatozoa motility in vitro. A perspective observational analytic pilot study was conducted. hBD-1 concentration was measured with ELISA assay in FF and semen from 50 couples that underwent assisted procreation technique procedures due to infertility status. Moreover, hBD-1 exogenous peptide was administered to 29 normozoospermic semen and their motility was recorded. hBD-1 was detected in FF and its levels were significantly higher in women with good fertilization rate (≥ 75%), respect to those with a poor fertilization rate (< 75%). The hBD-1 semen concentrations in oligo-asthenozoospermic subjects were significantly lower than that in normozoospermic men. Instead, hBD-1 level in sperm and FF not correlated with pregnancy rate. Finally, incubation of sperm with exogenous hBD-1 significantly increased progressive motility after 1 h and 24 h. Being aware of the relatively small sample size and medium power, our results possibly suggest that hBD-1 could influence oocyte and sperm quality, and could improve, when exogenously added, sperm motility.////////////////// Follicular fluid expression of alpha-defensins and their role in ovulation. Das S et al. INTRODUCTION: Defensins are cytotoxic peptides and have a well-defined role in host defense. Human alpha defensins 1-3 (HNP1-3) are primarily produced by peripheral neutrophils and constitute about 50% of the azurphil granule protein. Studies have suggested that peripheral neutrophils and the resident neutrophils in the ovary enhance the release of IL-8 and TNF-alpha that play a role in ovulation and influence fertilisation rate and IVF outcome. The production of HNP1-3 by follicular fluid and its role in ovulation has never studied. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of HNP1-3 in follicular fluid and to ascertain its correlation with fertilisation rate and IVF outcome. METHOD: Women attending the Reproductive Medicine Unit at Liverpool Women's Hospital UK, for IVF treatment were invited to participate in the study. Sixty-three patients were recruited for the study and underwent controlled ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval according to the unit's protocol. Fluid from the first follicle only was collected to minimise blood contamination of the sample and HNP1-3 was estimated using ELISA technique. RESULTS: HNP1-3 was detected in follicular fluid samples. The concentration did not correlate with the fertilisation rate (r = 0.01). The concentrations were also not significantly different in the women who did or did not become pregnant following treatment. Subgroup analysis showed that women with endometriosis were not more likely to have higher levels of the HNP1-3 when compared with controls (male factor infertility group). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show the expression of HNP1-3 in follicular fluid. HNP1-3 concentrations did not correlate with fertilisation rate or IVF outcome. It did not show an increased expression of HNP1-3 in fluid collected from women with endometriosis suggesting that inflammatory processes associated with endometriosis do not influence HNP1-3 concentration in the follicular fluid. Further studies to evaluate the correlation between HNP1-3 and IL-8 and TNF-alpha may clarify the role of defensins in ovulation.
Follicle stages Primordial
Comment Arraztoa JA, et al 2005 reported the identification of genes expressed in primate primordial oocytes.
Phenotypes
Mutations 0 mutations
Genomic Region show genomic region
Phenotypes and GWAS show phenotypes and GWAS
Links
OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man: an excellent source of general gene description and genetic information.)
OMIM \ Animal Model
KEGG Pathways
Recent Publications
None
Search for Antibody


created: June 21, 2006, 10:46 a.m. by: alex   email:
home page:
last update: Feb. 5, 2019, 2:09 p.m. by: hsueh    email:



Use the back button of your browser to return to the Gene List.

Click here to return to gene search form